Racing tech question: Audi R18 and Peugeot 908 steering wheel.

[Chernaudi]

This is a feature of the Audi R18 that I noticed in a HQ Audi Sport Press photo posted in HQ on Flickr and at quattroholic:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0GW45JbiW...t%2B2%2B16.jpg

If you look on the back of the wheel, there are two sets of paddles. The lower set is obviously for gear changes, but what's with the upper set? Under the rules, it can't be for KERS or a hand clutch. About the only thing I can see them being used for is a back up for the main paddles or to select an engine map to control power/torque at the rear wheels like on the McLaren MP4-23 F1 car in 2008.

Of course, if anyone has seen Alex Wurz' twitter photos, it seems that the new 908 uses the same wheel.

Any theories on what the extra paddles may be for, and what other cars have a similar layout as far as is known?

[Sledgehammer]

Originally Posted by Chernaudi

This is a feature of the Audi R18 that I noticed in a HQ Audi Sport Press photo posted in HQ on Flickr and at quattroholic:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0GW45JbiW...t%2B2%2B16.jpg

If you look on the back of the wheel, there are two sets of paddles. The lower set is obviously for gear changes, but what's with the upper set? Under the rules, it can't be for KERS or a hand clutch. About the only thing I can see them being used for is a back up for the main paddles or to select an engine map to control power/torque at the rear wheels like on the McLaren MP4-23 F1 car in 2008.

Of course, if anyone has seen Alex Wurz' twitter photos, it seems that the new 908 uses the same wheel.

Any theories on what the extra paddles may be for, and what other cars have a similar layout as far as is known?

Im highly skeptical of my own guess, keeping that it mind, mabey its for the last gear? For years now, Audi has had the 5 speed transmission and only with this new model they went to the long overdue 6th. Perhaps, they were rushed when developing the transmission and threw the 6th on late for some reason requiring an individual selector from 5th to 6th and back down again.

[Matra et Alpine]

As the selector input is sequential then adding a gear is only a "drive" option for the control system. So dont think it woudl be that.

But giving better control over things liek brake balance adjustment or traction controls or any of teh myriad of other controls woudl seem liekly rather than more twiddly knobs the F1 variety is covered in.

Maybe it's his iPod control ????

EDIT: I mean, they've run out of space on the 908 for sure

[LeonOfTheDead]

They also have/had them in F1, and on top of my head I think I've read somewhere it's for the clutch?

[RacingManiac]

LMP cars typically still uses foot clutch, even though they don't actually use it when driving. F1 does without it since I think its hard to package it in the tub. I think the BBC broadcast over the OZ GP weekend said Ferrari's steering wheel have 7 paddles behind it....2 for shifting, I think 2 for clutch, and others maybe for a KERS/DRS/blah blah.

As for what Audi's paddles are for, thats really anyone's guess...they are all just switches....so conceivably they can be set to be anything...

[LHamilton_w]

Originally Posted by RacingManiac

LMP cars typically still uses foot clutch, even though they don't actually use it when driving. F1 does without it since I think its hard to package it in the tub. I think the BBC broadcast over the OZ GP weekend said Ferrari's steering wheel have 7 paddles behind it....2 for shifting, I think 2 for clutch, and others maybe for a KERS/DRS/blah blah.

As for what Audi's paddles are for, thats really anyone's guess...they are all just switches....so conceivably they can be set to be anything...

Ain't gonna lie, that WAY too many paddles

[Brix]

Lighting and or Pit speed control, maybe even engine start.

[Chernaudi]

I'm thinking that they could be for traction control because of the R18 being a RHD car and there not being a lot of room on the dash for a normal dial, but with the multitude of dials on the wheel itself, that's just a guess.

They could be redundtant or useless, but since the wheel is probably a proprietary design by Audi Sport (built under license by a subcontractor), it's pretty easy to say that it has some purpose.